Monday January 11 Ag News

 RFA Welcomes Bredenkamp to Government & Public Affairs Team
    
The Renewable Fuels Association today is pleased to announce that Troy Bredenkamp is joining the association’s staff as its new Senior Vice President for Government and Public Affairs. Bredenkamp, who currently serves as the Executive Director of Renewable Fuels Nebraska, starts in RFA’s Washington office on January 19. He replaces Jessica Bennett, who is departing RFA after three years of service.

“We are excited to welcome Troy to the RFA team and we know he will make an immediate mark on our advocacy and public affairs activities,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Troy brings years of government relations and strategic communications experience to the association, and he has extensive knowledge of renewable fuels policy issues. He clearly shares our vision, passion, and commitment to expanding opportunities for U.S. ethanol producers.”

Bredenkamp took the helm at Renewable Fuels Nebraska in 2017 and helped shape the association into one of the most respected and successful state-level biofuels groups in the nation. Prior to that, he served as General Manager of the Nebraska Rural Electric Association. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President of the Colorado Farm Bureau and Director of Congressional Relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation in Washington. A native of York, Neb., Bredenkamp was raised on a 500-acre diversified farm operation that is still owned by his family. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a B.S. in education with a major in natural sciences.

"The ethanol industry is a vital component of the American rural fabric,” Bredenkamp said. “While we have recently experienced numerous challenges, many more opportunities lie ahead for this industry. I look forward to working closely with RFA members, our industry partners and the new administration and Congress to propel ethanol's important role far into the future.”

Cooper also thanked Bennett for her dedicated service to RFA’s members over the past several years. “We bid Jessica a fond farewell and wish her continued success in her new endeavors. She has been a tireless and effective advocate for the renewable fuels industry, and she played a key role in the achievement of many important victories for our association’s members.”

Finally, RFA announces today the addition of Gidel Dawson in the Washington office as its new Manager of Government Affairs and Communications. Dawson’s professional experience includes working on Capitol Hill for a Virginia congressman and roles in fundraising, event planning, and marketing/communications. She is a native of Rockwell City, Iowa, and a graduate of Creighton University.



Platte Valley Cattlemen Set Banquet for Feb 13
Brandon Groteluschen, President

It’s that time of year again for the Platte Valley Cattlemen 2021 Annual Banquet.  This year it will be held on Saturday, February 13, at the Humphrey Community Center at 5:30 p.m.. We are looking forward to an enjoyable night and another outstanding banquet.  Our guest speaker this year will be University of Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos.

For the rest of the night we will be listening to the band “Side Step”. We look forward to seeing you there.

Our annual Banquet is our major fundraiser for the year.  Thanks to your continued support, our organization has been able to promote the beef industry and inform our members of current issues and policies. In the past, your dollars have enabled us to promote “Beef Month” in May, ensure quality speakers for our monthly meetings, offer educational  tours, promote 4-H and FFA programs at the county fairs and assist in awarding scholarships. In 2020, we were able to award two $1,000.00 college scholarships and with continued support, we hope to offer two again this year.

Your response would be greatly appreciated by February 1. Thank you in advance for your continued support of the Platte Valley Cattlemen and I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, February 13th.

Thanks again for your support.



SNOW IS GOOD FOR ALFALFA
– Jerry Volesky, NE Extension
 
As cold temperatures arrive, be happy if you received snow recently.  Although snow can create some problems, snow is good – for alfalfa and new irrigated grass seedings that were planted late last summer.
 
For alfalfa, nothing can increase the chance of alfalfa surviving winter better than a nice, thick blanket of snow.  Last fall’s moderate weather allowed alfalfa plants to harden well for winter, leaving them with a high concentration of nutrients in their roots.  This winterized condition enables alfalfa crowns and roots to withstand cold temperatures.
 
Fortunately, the soil doesn't get as cold as the air above it.  And when soil is covered with a blanket of snow, this snow acts like a layer of insulation protecting the ground from extreme cold temperatures.
 
For new irrigated grass seedings, especially for those with orchardgrass, snow cover plays a very important role in reducing desiccation or drying out of the young grass plant crowns and roots.  This is why we can expect to see more injury to alfalfa or new grass stands when we have winters with little snow.  For both alfalfa and the grasses, having adequate soil moisture going into the winter is also important.
 
Of course, management practices in the fall influence the effect of snow on your alfalfa or new grass stands.  Tall stubble provides some insulation value itself and it will catch more snow.  Also, avoiding alfalfa harvest during the so-called risk period from mid-September through mid-October helps alfalfa roots winterize well by building up nutrients and reducing water content.
 
You may not like the way snow disrupts your daily routine, but remember how valuable it can be for your alfalfa and new grass stands.  Then, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.



Community advocacy groups, Senator Vargas to present clear and enforceable COVID-19 protections in 2021 session

On Monday, January 11, Nebraska community advocates and Senator Tony Vargas held a virtual press conference to introduce two legislative bills, LB 241 to implement work safety protections (such as 6-foot distancing and other critical protections) and LB 258 to implement paid sick leave. Nebraskans working in the meat and poultry industry are among the hardest hit by the pandemic, and packing plants have been one of the most serious vectors for the COVID-19 virus. The goal of the legislation is to establish clear and enforceable COVID-19 protections in meat and poultry plants as well as access to basic sick leave for all Nebraskans.

Among the COVID-19 protections included in the bills for Nebraskans working in the meat and poultry industry:
    6-foot physical distancing in all areas of the plant, including lunch and break areas, locker rooms, and on the processing floor.
    Basic paid sick leave so people can afford to stay home and monitor symptoms or care for family members with symptoms.
    Appropriate protective equipment, including adequate masks.
    Effective screening and quarantine practices.
    Transparency about positive cases.
    Inspections and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with best practices and workers’ safety.

Senator Tony Vargas, District 7:
“It’s been nearly a year since the start of this pandemic and we’re still here fighting for basic protections, fair treatment, and common decency for the meatpacking workers our government has deemed essential. I am proud to have introduced LB 241 on their behalf and will continue to fight with everything I have to ensure it passes.”

Darcy Tromanhauser, Immigrants & Communities Program Director, Nebraska Appleseed:
“For many months community, worker, and public health groups from across the state have urged critical COVID-19 protections for Nebraskans working in meat and poultry plants who are our family members, friends, and neighbors. Unfortunately, in an industry with a decades-long track record of alarmingly high rates of injury, effective COVID protections still do not exist and conditions are even getting worse – with dangerous crowding, insufficient masks, and pressure to work while sick. We look forward to working with senators to create protections and basic sick leave to keep our communities safe.”

Gladys Godinez, Community Organizer, Center for Rural Affairs:
“Workers continue to lack enough personal protective equipment, or PPE, have enough space for social distancing and continue to worry about what is going to happen to them. They worry because nobody is communicating with them about the exposure of COVID-19 within the plant let alone outside of the plant. I have shared before that I am a daughter of retired packing plant workers. I have the ability to sit here and share that my parents are not in danger on a daily basis because they don’t work at the plant anymore. That is not the case for a lot of packing plant workers and their families.

I will continue to ask the corporations, our local officials, state senators, and the governor to take care of our essential workers at packing plants. The numbers continue to increase statewide and packing plant workers have been front and center in this epidemic.”

Micky Devitt, Legal and Policy Coordinator, Heartland Workers Center:
“It is past time for enforceable safety standards reflecting CDC and OSHA best practices, including proper spacing, adequate masks, quarantine protocols, and transparency about positive cases. It is past time for all workers to have the right to paid sick leave when they or their family members fall ill. That is what these bills provide.  Importantly, the Meatpacking Employees COVID-19 Protection Act responds to concerns that setting standards without creating enforcement mechanisms would be a wasted exercise. Under these bills, employers will be required to abate hazards or face real financial consequences. During a time where all Nebraskans are making sacrifices, and meatpackers are increasing profits while other businesses struggle to keep their doors open, this is not too much to ask.”

Dulce Castañeda, Co-founder, Children of Smithfield:
“Nebraskans deserve more oversight of the meat-packing industry. More needs to be done to protect the people who have worked tirelessly to put food on our tables.

Today we call upon our elected officials to help implement enforceable safety standards and legislation that will protect our families and prevent them from senselessly falling ill or dying.”

Susan L. Martin, President/Secretary-Treasurer, Nebraska State AFL-CIO:
“Currently there are over 20,000 workers employed by over 12 meatpacking plants in Nebraska. These workers are critical to the “food supply chain” and it is incumbent upon the State of Nebraska to make sure they are protected and healthy during this health crisis.  The legislation being introduced by Senator Vargas is asking for basic protections and enforcement to ensure that these workers are safe.  We have a crisis.  We need our State Legislators’ support to keep ourselves and our families safe during this crisis.  Nebraska needs to take matters into their own hands and pass meaningful legislation to protect our workers in the meatpacking industry and by protecting these workers we stop the spread of Covid-19, or any future diseases.”

Eric Reeder, President, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 293:
“I’d like to talk about where we’re headed. Without some kind of legislation, this issue is going to get worse. Without legislation sickness is going to climb. All major plants have said they plan to roll back many of the limited and inconsistent COVID practices that exist now as the vaccine rolls out. If we’re committed to essential workers and our food supply we need protections in place now.”

Rose Godinez, Legal and Policy Counsel, ACLU of Nebraska:
“Too many of our family members and neighbors have to put their health at risk just by showing up to work every day; it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s past time for the state to implement commonsense, pandemic-specific protections for our essential workers while our state’s health leaders work to ensure every Nebraskan, regardless of immigration status, has access to the vaccine.”

Graham Christensen, President of GC Resolve:
“We call on our State Senators to intervene and immediately pass legislation that will improve the standards for the essential workers who have such a vital role in getting the farmers' food to your kitchen table."  

Denise Bowyer, Mothers and Others, Justice and Mercy for Immigrants:
“It is time to protect our essential packing plant workers’ health and lives. Implement enforceable safety measures. The clock is ticking.”



Farmers Gain Improved Access to Small Business Support as PPP Reopens

The National Milk Producers Federation is pleased that farmers who run their operations as sole proprietors, independent contractors, or otherwise self-employed individuals will have newly expanded access as soon as today to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under changes made in the COVID stimulus package Congress approved last month.

Producers who were denied PPP loans or whose loan amounts did not consider self-employment compensation may now be eligible for the vital federal small business support. Eligibility information and more details can be found here. Those wanting to apply for a PPP loan should contact lenders directly for more information on when PPP will be open for that specific lender.

“NMPF is pleased that many of our dairy farmers will have fewer restrictions and limitations on the PPP support available to them as the program reopens this week,” said Jim Mulhern, NMPF’s president and CEO. “We have been grateful for the support already extended to dairy through PPP, and we deeply appreciate the improved access found in the latest stimulus package.”

Congress created PPP in the CARES Act in March of 2020 to help American small businesses keep employees during the coronavirus pandemic. Still, the program’s emphasis on payroll raised inadvertent yet sizable challenges for many farmers and ranchers who do not issue structured payroll -- namely those operating as sole proprietors, independent contractors, or self-employed producers who file a Schedule F with their 1040 income tax form. The program’s loan application required such producers to use their net farm profit amount from their Schedule F tax form as a stand-in for their self-employment compensation when applying for a PPP loan. However, many farmers and ranchers filed a zero or negative net farm profit on their 2019 tax forms, effectually making them ineligible for the small business support.

NMPF worked successfully to advance legislation to help producers gain better access to PPP COVID relief, working closely with members of Congress leading on the issue. In June, Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI), GT Thompson (R-PA), Anthony Brindisi (D-NY), and John Joyce (R-PA) introduced the Paycheck Protection for Producers Act (S. 3918 and H.R. 7175). The bipartisan legislation allows farmers and ranchers who file a Schedule F to use their gross income, capped at $100,000, when applying for a PPP loan. The bill also permits producers who received a PPP loan based on their net farm profit to reapply with their gross income figure, with lenders allowed to offer the difference should the new loan amount be larger than the original amount.

The coronavirus relief measure enacted in December incorporated key provisions from the Paycheck Protection for Producers Act, securing for these farmers and ranchers increased access to the low-interest, forgivable loans.

All farmers and ranchers who file a Schedule F can apply or reapply for a PPP loan under the new rules once the program reopens. In general, agricultural producers and co-ops with 500 or fewer employees, including employees of businesses with which they have an affiliation, are eligible. Alternative size standards may qualify larger businesses, and interested larger borrowers are encouraged to explore options with lenders and/or their accountants. The Small Business Administration announced PPP would reopen in multiple stages beginning this week.



NMPF Calls for More-Equitable Class I Mover as Part of Push for Improved Dairy-Pricing

The National Milk Producers Federation today called for changes to the so-called Class I fluid milk price mover to recover losses dairy producers have faced from the extreme price disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, part of a suite of policies essential to advancing the well-being of dairy farmers and the entire industry in response to challenges brought to light by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are seeking consensus across the dairy industry for changes to the Class I mover that remedy economic damage to dairy farmers who have disproportionately suffered as a result of this pandemic,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF, after a meeting of NMPF’s Executive Committee on Friday to discuss policy approaches. “The intent behind the current mover was a revenue-neutral solution to the concerns of fluid milk processors about hedging their price risk. With that balance severely upended due to the pandemic, a modified approach is necessary. We need a solution that provides more equity and balance between farmers and processors.”

The current Class I mover used to price fluid milk in federal milk marketing orders took effect in 2019. It applies a $0.74/cwt adjuster to the monthly average of Class III and IV prices. That replaced the previous Class I formula, which was based on either the Class III or IV price each month, whichever was higher – an approach that worked for farmers but made it more difficult for fluid milk handlers to hedge milk prices using the futures market. The 2019 change was intended to be revenue-neutral and was widely supported across dairy when it was implemented. But the significant gap between Class III and IV prices that has developed during the pandemic has exposed dairy farmers to asymmetrical losses not experienced by processors.

Dairy farmers may lose roughly $800 million in revenues under the current Class I mover, making its re-examination necessary.  

NMPF’s Executive Committee on Friday unanimously supported a motion directing the organization to explore, with other industry stakeholders, updates to the pricing formula that restore balance and better protect dairy producers. The committee also discussed other dairy-pricing improvements as part of an ongoing in-depth NMPF examination of important issues related to Federal Milk Marketing Orders. NMPF leadership directed staff to convene NMPF’s Cheese Pricing Task Force to further refine proposals involving both public and private sector organizations that could help address ongoing imbalances in the pricing of block and barrel cheese.

“These issues are challenging and complex, but also crucial to face if we are to best promote prosperity among dairy farmers, their cooperatives, and the entire industry,” Mulhern said.



Tenth Circuit Court Plaintiffs Respond to Supreme Court Action

The U.S. Supreme Court has announced it will review the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit’s decision in RFA et al. v. EPA, which overturned three inappropriately granted small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The following is a statement from the four co-petitioners in the lawsuit: the Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union and American Coalition for Ethanol.
 
“Our groups believe the Tenth Circuit got it right the first time, and we will continue to defend the court’s ruling and stand up for the renewable fuel producers and farmers who have been harmed by the granting of these waivers. We strongly believe the 10th Circuit Court’s ruling is consistent with the Clean Air Act and Congressional intent, and we are confident that the Supreme Court will ultimately affirm the Tenth Circuit’s decision.”



Here’s How President-elect Biden Can Slash Carbon Emissions by 12 Million Metric Tons on Day One in Office

On “Day One” in office, President-elect Biden’s incoming administration can immediately secure 10.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions simply by rejecting the 66 pending waiver requests from oil refiners who are looking to dodge their Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) obligations. In addition, another 1.2 million metric tons of GHG reductions can be achieved by finally implementing a 2017 court order to restore renewable fuel blending requirements that were illegally waived by EPA in 2016. These findings come from a new analysis released today by the Renewable Fuels Association.

According to the RFA report, the GHG reductions associated with these actions would be equivalent to removing 2.6 million gasoline-powered passenger vehicles from the road, eliminating the annual emissions from three coal-fired power plants, or replacing 3.7 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles with battery electric vehicles.

“Not only have the Trump administration’s illegitimate refinery exemptions caused extensive economic harm to renewable fuel producers and farmers, but they have also led to increased GHG emissions and environmental damages. That needs to end now, and outgoing EPA officials should absolutely not—under any circumstances—issue any further waivers on their way out the door, lest they do even more damage to the environment and rural America’s economic health,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “By putting an immediate stop to these secretive oil refinery waivers, President-elect Biden and his incoming team have a rare opportunity to instantly secure significant GHG emissions reductions from the transportation sector on day one. Rejecting the exemption requests also would fulfill commitments made by President-elect Biden during the campaign, generating trust and goodwill in rural America.”

Cooper also pointed out that rejecting the waivers and enforcing the court’s 500-million-gallon remand would not require executive orders, rulemakings, or legislative action. “These are truly things that can be done immediately to safeguard the market for low-carbon renewable fuels and secure meaningful GHG reductions,” he said.

According to the RFA analysis, “When refiners are inappropriately released from their renewable fuel blending obligations, they supply more petroleum-based fuels—like gasoline and diesel—to the market in lieu of renewable fuels.” In turn, those exemptions “…lead to higher GHG emissions from the transportation sector than would have been the case if the exemptions had not been issued and the required volumes of renewable fuel had been used.”



Researchers Say Dairy Cows Have Minimal Impact on Greenhosue Emissions

The dairy industry in the United States is massive. It supplies dietary requirements to the vast majority of the population.

This same industry also contributes approximately 1.58 percent of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions. A commonly suggested solution to reduce greenhouse gas output has been to reduce or eliminate this industry in favor of plant production.

A team of Virginia Tech researchers wanted to uncover the actual impact that these cows have on the environment.

The researchers found that the removal of dairy cows from the United States agricultural industry would only reduce greenhouse emissions by about 0.7 percent while significantly lowering the available supply of essential nutrients for humans.

"There are environmental impacts associated with the production of food, period. The dairy industry does have an environmental impact, but if you look at it in the context of the entire U.S. enterprise, it's fairly minimal," said Robin White, an associate professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences and a member of the research team. "Associated with that minimal impact is a very substantial provision of high quality, digestible, and well-balanced nutrients for human consumption."

White was part of a team that included scientists from the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and supported Dairy Management Inc. that examined a few different scenarios for dairy cattle in the United States that factored in current management practices, retirement, and depopulation from the United States agricultural industry.

White's team looked at both the environmental and nutritional impact of three different scenarios.

Greenhouse gas emissions were unchanged in the herd management scenario, in which cattle become an export-only industry and the supply of available nutrients decrease. In this economically realistic scenario, the industry stays similar to how it is now, but the United States no longer benefits from the human consumable nutrients that dairy cows provide.

The scenario where cows were retired - where cows lived out the remainder of their lives in pastures or free-range - resulted in a 12 percent reduction in agricultural emissions and all 39 nutrients considered declined.

The depopulation scenario - where cows are killed off - resulted in a 7 percent reduction in agricultural emissions. Thirty of 39 nutrients increased for the depopulation scenario, though several essential nutrients declined.

A major factor in all of the scenarios is the use of the land that has to be managed after the removal of the cows. The impact on the industry downstream must be factored into the scenario results. For example, a pasture that was formerly used for cattle would no longer be used for that resource. Areas used for grain, fertilizer, and more would also change functionality.



Boxed Beef
Brenda Boetel, Dept of Ag Econ, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Last week, effective January 4, 2021, the RMA began using new updated yields for the calculation of the beef cutout. The boxed beef cutout values for a carcass basis are calculated from the seven primal cut values, specifically the rib, loin, brisket, chuck, flank, round and short plate. The USDA determines an average percentage that each primal cut contributes toward the total retail beef from the carcass. The contribution percentage from primal to carcass yields is shown in the table below. These primal yields did not change in January.

When a sub-primal cut is produced from the primal cut, you also get other components. What changed in the boxed beef calculation is the percentage of different sub-primal components. The value of each primal cut is determined by a weighted average of the wholesale prices of the sub-primal cuts obtained in each primal cut. These changes in the sub-primal percentages affect the value for that specific primal. The changes to the sub-primal percentage weighting factors were minimal. For example, some middle meat cuts have a smaller impact now on the primal value, while top sirloin and tenderloin received slightly larger weighting factors.

Once the primal value is calculated from the sub-primal values; the seven primal values are then factored against their yield from the carcass to see the contribution toward the carcass cutout value. For example, the primal rib contributes 11.4% toward the entire carcass yield, and on Friday January 8, 2021 the choice primal rib value was $329.98. Thus, the value contribution toward the choice cutout value from the primal rib on Friday January 8 was $37.62 (=329.98 X 0.114).

The boxed beef cutout is important as it represents the estimated value of a beef carcass on a given day. The USDA periodically makes changes to the yield contribution to reflect changes in the industry cuts. Producers and retailers often look to this report to see how well boxed beef is moving and to hopefully provide some leverage in negotiations with packers. Packers can use the report to gauge how well their company is doing relative to an industry benchmark. Additionally, some grade and yield contracts are based off cutout calculations, formulations and yields.

Just as important as the actual value is the relationship between the various beef cutout values and the relationship between the beef cutout value and the reported load counts. Comparing the Choice to Select cutout can tell us the supply and/or demand of each grade. This spread has a seasonal relationship and typically becomes wider in summer and holidays as the demand for Choice beef increases.

Beef market trends can be further understood by looking at the changes in load volumes as compared to the changes in cutout values. If loads are increasing while values are decreasing, retailers may be promoting/discounting beef in order to get inventories under control. Whereas if loads are increasing while values are increasing, retailers may be purchasing beef to fill their current needs. Small loads and declining prices usually indicate a lack of demand.

Since June 2020 the Choice/Select spread has been narrower than 2019, but wider than the 2014-2018 average. The year 2019 saw exceptionally strong spreads due to the limited percentage of cattle that were grading choice. Due to packer backups and changed demand, the 2020 spread was exceptionally strong in May, declined in June and has since mostly followed the seasonal trend. Since December, the Choice/Select spread has been wider than both 2019 and the 2014-2018 average.



Federation of State Beef Councils Sponsors the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300

The Federation of State Beef Councils, on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, has partnered with the Daytona International Speedway to sponsor the 40th season-opening race for the NASCAR Xfinity Series - the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300. The event is set for a 5 p.m. ET start on Saturday, Feb. 13, the day before the 63rd Annual DAYTONA 500.

“Despite the extraordinary and challenging circumstances 2020 dealt cattle farmers and ranchers across the country, they persevered to keep the delicious beef Americans know and love on store shelves,” said Clay Burtrum, Federation Division Vice Chair for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. “This sponsorship celebrates all the industry has overcome in this historic year for beef, which demonstrated that Americans continue to choose beef as their preferred protein.”

With production support from NCBA, this historic partnership provides an opportunity for the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand to return to broadcast television for the second time since 2003. In December, Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. returned to broadcast television after 17 years, airing a limited number of ads during the Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas movies.

In addition to production support, NCBA, will be hosting a satellite media tour featuring celebrity chef Hugh Acheson. Chef Acheson will be interviewed by television and radio stations across the country to talk about the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300 and share delicious beef recipes that are perfect for tailgating, or homegating, on race day.

DeAnne Maples, Florida Beef Council’s Director of Beef Marketing and Promotion, said, “Showcasing the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. brand on broadcast television allows us to reach even more consumers at home and gives beef farmers and ranchers something to celebrate on a national stage.”

The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300 expands a current partnership between Beef Checkoff and Daytona International Speedway. In 2020, the track produced “Race Day Recipes” on digital channels in which Speedway President Chip Wile demonstrated his beef grilling expertise to showcase the NASCAR experience - especially to campers and tailgaters who love to enjoy delicious beef recipes as part of their celebration of NASCAR events.

Precautionary measures will require all guests to be screened before entering the facility for the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300. Face coverings and six-feet social distancing will be required. Information, including all ticket options and safety protocols, can be found by visiting www.DAYTONA500.com/updates or calling 1-800-PITSHOP.



USDA Announces Details of the 2021 Agricultural Outlook Forum Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces details of the 97th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, which will be held virtually on February 18-19, 2021.

The 2021 Forum, themed “Building on Innovation: A Pathway to Resilience,” will focus on the central role science and innovation have played in helping the agricultural sector overcome challenges and build resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Forum’s program (PDF, 187 KB) will begin with a presentation by USDA’s new Chief Economist, Dr. Seth Meyer, on the Department’s outlook for U.S. commodity markets and trade for 2021 and the U.S. farm income situation. A keynote address by the incoming Agriculture Secretary, presentations by Congressional leaders, and a session on genetic literacy are also scheduled for the morning on the first day of the Forum.

In addition, the program will cover five key areas:
    Supply Chain Resilience
    Commodity Market Outlooks
    Food Price and Farm Income Outlooks
    U.S. Trade and the Global Market Place
    Managing Risk and Ensuring Sustainability
    Innovation, Technology, and Productivity

The 2021 Forum is expected to bring together more than 3,000 participants from the U.S. and around the world, including producers, processors, policymakers, government officials, and nongovernmental organizations. The Forum’s program includes more than 30 sessions and 100 expert speakers.

Registration for the Forum is free but required to attend the Forum sessions. To register, visit the 2021 Agricultural Outlook Forum website... https://www.usda.gov/oce/ag-outlook-forum.